Indian authorities have launched a judicial probe into a stampede at the Kumbh Mela festival that claimed the lives of dozens of devotees on Wednesday. The tragic incident occurred as millions of pilgrims gathered along the sacred riverbanks in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to participate in a \"holy dip\" during the six-week-long Hindu festival.
Police reports confirmed that at least 30 people were killed and 90 injured in the crush. However, sources cited by Reuters indicated that the death toll could be nearly 40. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with a massive push towards the rivers causing devotees to fall and suffocate as the dense crowd became immobile.
\"The government has decided that a judicial inquiry of the incident will be done. For this, we have formed a three-member judicial commission,\" announced Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a press briefing late on Wednesday. \"The judicial commission will look into the entire matter and submit its report to the state government within a time limit,\" he added.
The Kumbh Mela is renowned as the world's largest human gathering. On Wednesday alone, officials reported that over 76 million people took a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Since the festival commenced two weeks ago, nearly 280 million devotees have participated, including prominent figures such as federal ministers, industrialists, and celebrities.
The festival, held every 12 years, is steeped in religious significance. Devout Hindus believe that bathing in the sacred waters at the confluence absolves them of sins and offers salvation from the cycle of birth and death. The next Kumbh Mela, scheduled for 2025, is expected to draw approximately 400 million participants, according to officials.
In the wake of the tragedy, opposition leaders have criticized the event's management, urging the government to enhance festival arrangements to ensure the safety of attendees. Local media also called for improved crowd control measures. \"There is much scope for improving crowd management at the Kumbh,\" stated an editorial in the Hindustan Times. \"There is no doubt that more personnel have to be deployed, and better planning is needed—using both ground resources and modern technology.\"
Concerns are mounting as three more 'royal dips'—special dates considered particularly sacred—are scheduled before the festival concludes. Authorities are under pressure to prevent a repeat of Wednesday's disaster. While devotees partake in holy dips daily, these 'royal dips' attract significantly larger crowds, necessitating heightened security and crowd management efforts.
The Kumbh Mela holds immense cultural and spiritual importance for Hindus worldwide. As the festival continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual solace in the sacred waters of Prayagraj.
Reference(s):
India orders probe into Kumbh festival stampede that killed dozens
cgtn.com
